This article isn’t about the superstar international players such as Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna, Harold Ramirez, Jose Altuve or Ozzie Albies - those are fellas that came stateside to play directly from signing and are exceptions to the rule followed for this study. It’s about players who spent their initial years at the Latin area MLB operated academies (Dominican or Venezuelan) and worked their way to the major leagues from there. Many of the names most fans won’t recognize however each has done something that most folks will never ever do - play in the major leagues. I often hear inaccuracies about player development, in particular the academies … so I publish this updated list to disclose what each organization has accomplished thus far in regards to the academy road to the show and how many and whom have taken it from 2010 to date. It was detailed research therefore I’m sharing it as such. Hope you enjoy.
There were 255 players who made their major league debut in 2024 per baseball reference - fifty of which were originally signed as international free agents - 35 of those 50 made their professional debut in the Dominican or Venezuelan Summer League. The youngest amongst the group of thirty-five was the Brewers Jackson Chourio (20 yrs old) and the oldest was Emmanuel Ramirez (29 yrs old) of the Marlins. The average age of the 35 players was 24 years old.
The breakdown of 2024 debuts and for which team they did it with : Miami - 5, Colorado - 4, Detroit, LA Dodgers, Arizona, Cleveland, Seattle, Toronto & Texas - 2 and Chicago Cubs, White Sox,Cincinnati, Houston, LA Angels, Milwaukee, Minnesota, NY Mets, NY Yankees, Oakland, San Francisco & Washington - 1.
The breakdown on which team the 35 players were originally signed by : New York Yankees - 4,LA Dodgers & Toronto - 3, Arizona, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland, Colorado, Detroit, San Diego & San Francisco - 2, Atlanta, Houston, Kansas City, LA Angels, Miami, Milwaukee, New York Mets, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Texas & Tampa - 1
On 8/5/23 I published an article reflecting each organization’s Dominican/Venezuelan Summer League’s road to the show for all thirty clubs. I went back to the year 2010, reviewing that season and each one thereafter to ascertain how many ball players each club has had play in the major leagues that began their playing careers (actually practiced at an academy or appeared in league games) in the DSL or VSL. Note that the VSL disbanded in 2016.
I’ve now updated the data to include those I missed from the last months of 2023 and to add to it the 2024 group. Here are my findings. Since the 2010 season there have been 408 players (by my count) make it to the major leagues that began their careers at either a Dominican or Venezuelan MLB academy.
The Yankees have produced the most (29) followed by the Astros (24), Rangers (21), Red Sox (18), Rays (17), Phillies & Mariners (16), Diamondbacks,Tigers, Blue Jays & Giants (15), Nationals, Royals, Cardinals, Cubs, Mets, Padres & Guardians (14), Pirates & Rockies (13), Angels (12), Marlins, Twins & Dodgers (11), Reds & Braves (8), White Sox & Athletics (7), Brewers (6) and Orioles (2).
Organizations listed in order by the most players reaching the major leagues who were originally signed as international free agents by the organization for seasons from 2010 to 2024 (players who initially played in or were assigned to the DSL/VSL) :
Yankees : 2010 to Present : 29 major leaguers - opened own DSL Academy in 2005 - Boca Chica - latest remodel in 2016
P Joel De La Cruz, P Cesar Vargas, INF Abiatal Avelino, P Luis Severino, SS Jorge Mateo, P Domingo Acevedo, P Raynel Espinal, P Adonis Rosa, INF Diego Castillo, OF Estevan Florial, P Jhony Brito, P Luis Medina, INF Jose Devers, INF Ezequiel Duran, INF Oswaldo Peraza, P Roansy Contreras, P Deivi Garcia, P Elvis Peguero, P Anderson Severino, P Randy Vasquez, P Miguel Yajure, INF Oswald Cabrera, P Rony Garcia, P Yoendrys Gomez, OF Jasson Dominguez, C Carlos Narvaez, 1B Andres Chapparo, OF Gustavo Campero, OF Kevin Alcantara.
Astros : 2010 to Present : 24 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2010 - Santa Domingo
P Michael Feliz, P Enderson Franco, P Reymin Guduan, P Jundal Gustav, P Richard Rodriquez, OF Teoscar Hernandez, P Elieser Hernandez, OF Bryan De La Cruz, P Albert Abreu, P Carlos Sanabria, P Jorge Alcala, P Jorge Guzman, P Cristian Javier, P Framber Valdez, IF Emmanuel Valdez, P Ronel Blanco, OF Yordan Alvarez, OF Gilberto Celestino, P Humberto Castellanos, P Yohan Ramirez, P Nivaldo Rodriquez, P Luis Garcia, OF Wilyer Abreu, P Valente Bellozo.
Rangers : 2010 to Present : 21 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2019 -Boca Chica
INF Hanser Alberto, C Jorge Alfaro, P Abel De Los Santos, INF Luis Marte, INF Ramon Urias, P Jose Leclerc, P Ricardo Rodriguez, P Yohander Mendez, P Pedro Payano, P Jonathan Hernandez, P Ariel Jurado, C Yohel Pozo, P Marcos Diplan, INF Yonny Hernandez, INF Anderson Tejeda, P Reiver Sanmartin, P Daniel Duarte, P Yerry Rodriquez, P Ronny Henriquez, INF Osleivis Basabe, INF Luisangel Ocuna.
Red Sox : 2010 to Present : 18 major leaguers - Academy in El Toro since 2004
SS Xander Bogaerts, P Raul Alcantara, P William Cuevas, P Frankie Montas, P Nefi Ogando, P Jonathan Aro, OF Manuel Margot, OF Luis Basabe, OF Javy Guerra, 3B Rafael Devers, P Gerson Bautista, P Jhonathan Diaz, P Darwinzon Hernandez, P Eduard Bazardo, P Anderson Espinoza, P Denyi Reyes, P Brayan Bello, P Emmanuel De Jesus.
Rays : 2010 to Present : 17 major leaguers - Academy located at San Antonio de Guerra
C Oscar Hernandez, C Omar Narvaez, P Felipe Vasquez, P Jose Alvarado, P German Marquez, P Yonny Chirinos, C Rene Pinto, P Roberto Gomez, P Genesis Cabrera, P Diego Castillo, P Christopher Sanchez, IF Vidal Brujan, OF Jesus Sanchez, P Angel Felipe, IF Jonathan Aranda, P Jose Lopez, P Anthony Molina
Phillies : 2010 to Present : 16 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2017 - Boca Chica
P Lendy Castillo, P Hector Neris, UTL Willians Astudillo, P Severino Gonzalez, P Seranthony Dominguez, P Ricardo Pinto, P Ranger Suarez, P Edubray Ramos, P Edgar Garcia, P Adonis Medina, P Mauricio Llovera, P Sixto Sanchez, C Rafael Marchan, OF Simon Muzziotti, P Ramon Rosso, OF Johan Rojas.
Mariners : 2010 to Present : 16 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2014 -Boca Chica
P Vincente Campos, P Mayckol Guaita , P Osmer Morales, P Thyago Vieira, P Pablo Lopez, INF Luis Rengifo, OF Gabriel Guerrero, INF Ketel Marte, INF Erick Mejia, OF Luis Liberato, P Freddy Peralta, P Aneurys Zabala, P Juan Then, OF Julio Rodriquez, INF. Noelvi Marte, OF Jonatan Clase.
Diamondbacks : 2010 to Present : 15 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2021 - Boca Chica
OF Socrates Brito, P Yefry Ramirez, P Silvino Bracho, P Gabriel Moya, P Luis Castillo, P Luis Madero, P Jhoan Duran, P Luis Frias, INF Geraldo Perdermo, P Elvis Luciano, INF Liover Peguero, P Justin Martinez, P Cristofer Ogando, OF Jorge Barraso, C Yiber Diaz.
Tigers : 2010 to Present : 15 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2010 - San Pedro de Macoris
INF Eugenio Suarez, P Angel Nesbitt, INF Harold Castro, P Anthony Castro, P Eduardo Jiménez, OF Jose Azocar, P Jose Valdez, P David Paulino, P Sandy Baez, SS Willy Adames, INF Domingo Leybar, P Gregory Soto, P Angel De Jesus, P Keider Montero, OF Wenceel Perez.
Blue Jays : 2010 to Present : 15 major leaguers - Academy - Boca Chica
P Jairo Labourt, P Miguel Castro, P Jimmy Cordero, P Jose Fernandez, P Angel Perdomo, P Jesus Tinoco, IF Richard Urena, OF Edward Olivares, P Yennsy Diaz, P Dany Jiménez, P Max Castillo, IF Gabriel Moreno, INF Luis De Los Santos, OF. Steward Berroa, P Yosver Zulueta.
Giants : 2010 to Present : 15 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2016 -Boca Chica
P Ariel Hernandez, P Adalberto Mejia, P Reyes Moronta, INF Miguel Gomez, P Luis Castillo, P Keury Mella, P Jonathan Loaisigna, P Kervin Castro, P Camilo Duval, P Jose Marte, P Gregory Santos, OF Luis Matos, OF Alexander Canario, OF Sandro Fabian, P Randy Rodriguez.
Nationals : 2010 to Present : 14 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2014 - Boca Chica
INF Wilmer Difo, P Wander Suero, IF Jose Marmolejos, C Yermin Mercedes, C Raudy Read, OF Rafael Bautista, P Reynaldo Lopez, P Phillips Valdez, P Jefry Rodriquez, IF Kelvin Gutierrez, OF Victor Robles, P Pedro Avila, P Joan Adon, P Jose Ferrer
Cardinals : 2010 to Present : 14 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2015 - Boca Chica
P Carlos Martinez, INF Breyvic Valera, P Luis Perdomo, C Jose Godoy, INF Allen Cordoba, OF Magnueris Sierra, INF Edmundo Sosa, P Sandy Alcantara, P Junior Fernandez, INF Elehuris Montero, P Johan Oviedo, P Angel Rondon, C Ivan Herrera, P Jesus Cruz
Royals : 2010 to Present : 14 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2012 - Guerra
INF Orlando Calixte, OF Jorge Bonifacio, INF Ramon Torres, P Yordano Ventura, P Miguel Almonte, P Andres Machado, P Yunior Marte, C Meibrys Viloria, C Freddy Fermin, C Sebastian Rivero, INF Esteury Ruiz, INF Maikel Garcia, P Angel Zerpa, P Gerson Garabito.
Cubs : 2010 to Present : 14 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2013 - La Gina
C Wilson Contreras, INF Marco Hernandez, 3B Jeimer Candelario, P Pedro Araujo, C Erick Castillo, P Felix Pena, P Jhon Romero, P Brailyn Marquez, INF Christopher Morel, P Adbert Alzolay, INF Andruw Monasterio, C Miguel Amaya, C Jhonny Pereda, P Luis Contreras.
Mets : : 2010 to Present : 14 major leaguers - 2018 - opened own Academy in 2008 - Boca Chica
P Luis Cessa, P Alberto Baldanado, P Hansel Robles, P Domingo Tapia, P Rafael Montero, P Nabil Crismatt, P Merandy Gonzalez, INF Andres Gimenez, C Endy Rodriguez, P Jenrry Mejia, P Gabriel Ynoa, P Jose Butto, SS Ronny Mauricio, P Michel Otanez.
Padres : 2010 to Present : 14 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2008 -Najayo
P Tayron Guerrero, P Frank Garces, OF Franchy Cordero, OF Franmil Reyes, P Jose Ruiz, IF Luis Urias, P Dinelson Laney, P Emmanuel Clase, P Adrian Martinez, IF Eguy Rosario, IF Tucupita Marcano, P Luis Patino, P. Emmanuel Ramirez, P Jairo Iriarte.
Guardians : 2010 to Present : 14 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2019 - San Antonio de Guerra
INF Erik Gonzalez, P Phillips Valdez, INF Ivan Castillo, P J.C. Mejia, OF Oscar Gonzalez, P Francisco Perez, INF Jose Fermin, P Luis Oviedo, C Yanier Diaz, INF Brayan Rocchio, INF Jose Tena, INF Junior Caminero, OF Jhonkensky Noel, INF Angel Martinez.
Pirates : 2010 to Present : 13 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2009 -El Toro
INF Dilson Herrera, OF Willy Garcia, INF Alen Hanson, P Luis Santos, INF Pablo Reyes, P Luis Escobar, P Edgar Santana, P Yerry De Los Santos, IF Sherten Apostel, IF Rodolfo Castro, P Osvaldo Bido, P Dario Agrazal, P Luis Peralta.
Rockies : 2010 to Present : 13 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2013 -Boca Chica
C Jose Briceno, UTL Rosell Herrera, P Jayson Aquino, OF Yonathan Diaz, OF Ramiel Tapia, P Carlos Estevez, P Joel Payamps, P Husacar Brazoban, P Antonio Senzatela, P Julian Fernandez, P Antonio Santos, P Angel Chivilli, SS Adael Amador.
Angels : 2010 to Present : 12 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2013 -Boca Chica
P Jairo Diaz, INF Jose Rondon, P Victor Alcantara, P Eduardo Paredes, P Jaime Barria, P Jose Rodriquez, P Oliver Ortega, P Elvin Rodriquez, P Jose Suarez, P Jose Soriano, P Kelvin Caceres, SS Leo Rivas.
Marlins : 2010 to Present : 11 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2022 - Boca Chica
P Domingo German, P Jose Urena, P Miguel Del Pozo, P Jarlin Garcia, P Francis Martes, P Cristofer Oganda, P Jose Quijada, P Humberto Mejia, OF Jerar Encarnacion, P George Soriano, INF Javier Sanoja.
Twins : 2010 to Present : 11 major leaguers- opened own Academy in 2017 - Boca Chica
P Felix Jose, P Randy Rosario, INF Engelb Vielma, P Fernando Romero, P Johan Quezada, P Luis Gil, P Brusdar Graterol, P Huascar Yona, P Edwar Colins, P Prelander Berroa, P Steven Cruz.
Dodgers : 2010 to Present : 11 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 1987 - San Antonio Guerra - renovated in 2017
C Webster Rivas, P Jose Dominguez, P Dennis Santana, C Keibert Ruiz, SS Oniel Cruz, P Edwin Uceta, P Jose Hernandez, P Darien Nunez, C Jair Camargo, P Edgardo Henriquez, INF Andy Pages.
Reds : 2010 to Present : 8 major leaguers - opened new Academy in 2023 -Guerra
Ronald Torreyes, P Alejandro Chacin, P Wandy Peralta, OF Aristedes Aquino, OF Jose Siri, P Dauri Moreta, INF Elly De La Cruz, P Eduardo Salazar.
Braves : 2010 to Present : 8 major leaguers - Academy - San Pedro de Macorís
IF Daniel Castro, IF Joey Meneses, IF Jose Peraza, P Mauricio Cabrera, IF Johan Camargo, C William Contreras, P Guillermo Zuniga, P Roddery Munoz.
White Sox : 2010 to Present : 7 major leaguers - remodeled Academy in 2017 - Boca Chica
INF Yolmer Sanchez, P Robinson Leyer, C Carlos Perez, OF Luis Robert Jr, INF Jose Rodriquez, P Jairo Labourt, P Edgar Navarro
Athletics : 2010 to Present : 7 major leaguers - Academy - Boca Chica
INF Renato Nunez, P Jose Torres, INF Yairo Munoz, P Ronald Herrera, OF Luis Barrera, INF Jordan Diaz, P Norge Ruiz
Brewers : 2010 to Present : 6 major leaguers - opened own Academy in 2011 -Ramon Santana, San Pedro de Macoris
INF Orlando Arcia, P Miguel Diaz, P Jorge Lopez, P Miguel Sanchez, P Abner Uribe, OF Jackson Chourio.
Orioles : 2010 to Present : 2 major leaguers - opened own Academy 2024 - Guerra
P Eduardo Rodriquez, P Felix Bautista
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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